81 Inside, positioned front and centre is the BMW
Panoramic iDrive, which consists of four key components: the BMW Panoramic Vision display, the optional BMW 3D Head-Up Display, the driver-oriented Central Display and the new multi-function steering wheel. Electrically operated door openers at the front and rear and the centre console between the driver and passenger seats includes a storage area with inductive charging function. Customers will be able to customise
Efficient and Silent. The new BMW i3 will continue to receive new
the interior and exterior of their i3 with different trim levels, including M Sport, following its success within the UK market. Eleven exterior paint finishes are available from launch, including new M Le Castellet Blue – exclusive to the BMW i3. Customers will have comprehensive options for personalisation in the areas of lighting, sound, displays and drives via My Modes with modes such as Sport,
sculpted in a shark-nose design and centred around a horizontal kidney grille.
The front-end is
functions, optimised performance, or AI- supported features via software updates long after purchase. All future BMW models will feature the electronics and software architecture developed for the Neue Klasse. The new i3 will be built at the home of BMW Group, Munich, which has been producing vehicles for over a century. Over the last four years, the production plant has seen significant modernisation with the construction of
a new body shop, cutting-edge assembly facility and logistics space. Now in its final stages of expansion, Plant Munich will commence BMW i3 production in August, with first UK customer deliveries expected in autumn. Further information, including UK pricing and detailed model specifications will follow in due course.
BYD SEALION 5 DM-i – premium feel for a non-premium price I
f you have noticed an increasing number of BYD cars it’s not surprising, given the rapid increase in sales across Europe. Build Your Dreams might
sound, and many would argue it is, a bit of a daft name, but the cars are rather impressive. Like most things nowadays they’re made in China, although this year production commences in Hungary. BYD offer full electric and hybrid models with small
city cars, full-size cars, SUVs and a proper estate car. The latest is the SEALION (yes really!) 5 DM-i, an SUV that offers a plug-in hybrid combination with a 1.5-litre petrol engine assisting the car’s electric motor when required. It provides a more EV driving experience yet with the versatility of a petrol-car. Having sampled several BYD models the one
impressive thing that has been uniform across all has been the excellent build quality. Given the pricing it feels a much more a premium car than many of its similarly, and in some cases higher, priced European competitors. Two versions are on offer – Comfort
when accelerating hard. The interior offers a very generous amount of legroom and there are plenty of nooks and crannies for in-car collectibles. The interior has a nice flat floor too, particular useful if you drop the rear seats. The driver’s instrument panel is a little on the small
size
at £29,995 and Design at £32,995 – with standard equipment on both including power folding and heated door mirrors, auto wipers and lights, power front seats, rear parking sensors and camera along with navigation and wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The Design model adds a power tailgate, heated front seats, wireless phone charging plus a 360-degree camera and front parking sensors. On the road it’s a smooth and refined drive with only the occasional aural interruption from the engine
driving experience yet with the versatility of a petrol-car.
It provides a more EV
given the amount of information displayed, and as with the main central screen, which is a more useable size, the pallid background colour doesn’t help clarity. You can silence the driver annoyance (assistance) systems in all modern cars, but to be fair those on the BYD aren’t too intrusive with one exception. Divert your gaze, even slightly, for a nanosecond,
and the car will tell you off. This is an impressive car, it doesn’t have character, but then what modern cars, let alone EVs do? Not many! The aim of the BYD is to provide comfortable, affordable, practical, well-equipped and, depending on your likes, stylish transport. It does all of these things superbly well.
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